An energetic team of fourteen students and seven staff from William Howard School took on the annual WHS Mountain Runners Charity Challenge on Saturday, 5th July.
This year, the team stayed closer to home and after running 30 miles along Hadrian’s Wall finished the challenge on the front steps of school. The charity was chosen by the students, and they decided all efforts would be to support the Great North Air Ambulance – a vital service for our rural area!
Ready to take on the challenge, the team met bright and early at Chesters Fort near Chollerford (before opening time so there was no opportunity to visit the Roman fort and museum). The route was broken up into 11 stages of varying milage with students setting themselves a target to complete. The WHS Mountain Runners have always been an inclusive club which enables students of all ages and fitness levels to take part.
Once the runner briefing was complete, the group set off in good spirits just after 8:20am, heading west. The first two sections took the team to Housesteads, around 9 miles into the route. All runners completed these two sections, with plenty of stories already to tell; initially the stile was a novelty with runners climbing up and over with enthusiasm, however by the end of the challenge they were seen as a welcome rest and were conquered a little bit slower!
From Housesteads, the team then headed towards Steel Rigg, climbing back up hill to the Wall. This section took in Sycamore Gap with the runners taking a quick breather at this iconic location. It was then onto Cawfields where more supporters had gathered to cheer the team in and offer support as the milage hit approximately 15.5 miles.
The weather was changeable and the terrain undulating which kept it interesting for the runners who continued to keep up their spirits with songs and chats aplenty. The route was busy with members of the public as well as a sponsored walk for Marie Curie. Our Mountain Runners warmly offered their encouragement to others as well as receiving it from well-wishers.
The team soon reached Gilsland before a brief stop at Birdoswald and then the descent into the rain at Lanercost. Now the finish line was in touching distance with the runners heading up into Quarry Beck woods, before climbing up onto the Ridge and the last descent into Brampton, and finally onto school.
The welcome the team received on the last hill of the day, through the car park, was amazing, with students and staff cheered and clapped all the way until they reached the steps of William Howard School! There was just time for one final triumphant photo before the team dispersed for some much-needed rest.
Ms Pigdon, Headteacher and the Mountain Runners leader commented: “We could not be prouder of our students. Running 30 miles across Hadrian’s Wall is no small feat, and every single participant showed outstanding resilience, determination and team spirit throughout. It was a powerful reminder of what young people can achieve when they set their minds to something, and all in support of a brilliant cause. We are immensely proud of each and every one of them.”
The three core values of William Howard School were seen across the route. The resilience and determination shown by the students was immense with students and staff supporting each other to complete the challenge!
One of the runners from Year 10, Katie Smith, said: “I really enjoyed the chance to challenge myself, and there was lots of fun and excitement along the way.”
Nine students, including four from Year 7 completed the full distance of 31.4 miles with others hitting their targets of 25+ miles, 20+ miles and 9 miles. It was a phenomenal effort which was supported by staff and parents who all completed the full distance too. A number of siblings also joined the route to show their support, with children in Year 4 and 5 also putting in the effort and miles.
A huge thanks to the support of Mr Mallinson and Mrs McGaffin who kept the team fuelled at the designated stops, providing hot drinks and handing out the large number of donated cakes, flapjacks and sweets. The support from parents was also considerable with many cheers heard along the route and runners clapped into each rest spot!
We’re looking forward to welcoming a representative for the Great North Air Ambulance into School on 15 July. Donations can be made up until 14th July, so please follow the link to show your support for the efforts of the team and to this vital charity: Mountain Runner Team is fundraising for Great North Air Ambulance Service
